Turn signal switch question

[drbobj67]

I’m replacing the turn signal switch in the steering column in a 67 and I have a few questions. The switch has all the wiring for the horn and signals. At the end of each of the 10 wires is a metal pin that goes into the connector. Is there a trick to getting the old wires/pins out of the old connector and putting in the new ones. Or is it easier to just cut the wires and splice in new connectors.

The other question is what to do with the old one. The only thing wrong with it is the little plastic piece that locks the switch in place when I am turing right is broken and unless I hold the lever in place it won't stay. Can it be fixed and is it anything that someone could use. I don't want to just throw it away if it is still useful.

While I was pulling out the steering wheel it got me thinking has anyone ever put in a replacement steering wheel that has wired in controls for things like radio, cd player, cruise control, etc Or even a switch for the windshield wiper on the steering column and is it possible to put in an intermittent switch for the wiper.

 

[krash kendall]

There is a little tool that is basically a hollow tube with a handle that slides over each pin and depresses the retaining tabs allowing you to pull the wire and pin out of the connector. You can do the same thing with a small flathead jewelers screwdriver or a scribe plus a little patience. Make sure you note which colour wire goes into which position before pulling them all out.

 

[hotrodredneck]

if you can solder good, just cut the wires so you know what one goes where....just a suggestion

 

[66 Restomod]

I used a dental pick to depress the tabs and pulled each wire out, replacing them one at a time. I couldn't find the special tool anywhere locally but the pick worked fine.

 

[drbobj67]

I found the tool

I didn't really want to buy a special tool for probably a one time use. So I started thinking based on the description of the special tool, what do I already have that I can use? I ended up taking the ink cartrige out of a pen. The hole where the pen tip used to stick out is just the right size. I tried it out and with a little tweaking it works. Just saved myself about $8-10.

The way gas prices are here in SoCal that will get me about 3 gallons.

So hopefully anyone else that needs to remove the connector pins will see this thread, and try the pen tool.